What Chemicals Are You Eating/Wearing?

Did you know your food is laced with all kinds of man-made chemicals? Pesticides and preservatives, plastic packaging and food storage containers, non-stick coatings – all of these chemicals seep into the food you eat on a daily basis.

Did you know that your skin is like a giant sponge? The body absorbs many of the ingredients we put on our skin, directly into the blood stream. These can then take up residence in our major organs like the kidneys, liver, and brain, where they are stored and accumulate in our bodies for years. It is estimated that women put between 150-250 chemicals on their skin before they walk out the door every morning. For men it is around 150. Add that up over a year: 150 chemicals a day x 365 days = 54,750! It adds up quickly – and that’s just through your skin.

Then add environmental toxins from the workplace, air and water pollution, chemicals our food and cooking implements, furniture, house cleaners, etc.

We literally have a toxic soup of chemicals we use and wear all day long, day after day, year after year!

Tattoo inks: tattoo inks contain heavy metals and other components that may dangerous. After being tattooed, over time, some of these particles can be found in your lymph nodes as your body attempts to filter them out. Additionally, some of the new inks have not been around long enough to know what they will do to your body in 30-40 years. Not to create fear, but look at asbestos, lead, and mercury – these used to be considered safe! I know tattoos are a huge trend right now, but please do some research before you get inked.

Dryer sheets or Downy Unstoppables: a recent study measured the pollutants coming out of the dryer vent after using a variety of these fabric scent products. Seven toxic carcinogens (cancer causers) were found. This means these same toxins can be found in your nice-smelling, freshly dried clothes… And are inevitably absorbed by your skin when you wear them.

Cosmetics: while not actually containing formaldehyde, they contain chemicals that release formaldehyde (a known carcinogen). I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I want to be chemically preserved by wearing formaldehyde!

Some concerning health facts that may be linked to everyday chemicals:

Incidences of autism continue to grow. From 2004 -2018, researchers found a shocking 181% rise. 1 in 64 children born are now born with autism. 40 years ago in was 1 in 1000 or less. Scientists are now starting to look at manmade chemicals as the possible culprit.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

Scientists suspect that EDCs are responsible for the decrease in the age of puberty. They are also linked to birth defects, lower sperm count, infertility, diabetes, poor memory, poor metabolism, poor growth, cardio diseases and cancer. Found in almost all households, they EDCs can be found in:

Mercury, found in fish and the new compact flourescent light (CFL) bulbs. You know, the tube light bulbs that we all use to replace the old round ones. Turns out they are extremely dangerous if broken and should never be disposed of in your garbage! In fact if broken, immediately evacuate any children, pregnant women, and babies. Open windows and do not touch the broken glass. Check out this article for more info on the dangers of CFL bulbs.

What can I do to avoid EDCs?

Pesticides:

get a filter for your water

wash your vegetables and fruit before eating

buy organic when possible – when we support organic, the big producers see their profits go down, and eventually they may start paying attention.

if you eat a lot of fish, consider cutting back to keep your mercury levels down, especially larger, predatory fish that are higher in the food chain.

avoid using CFL bulbs or ensure you’re using and disposing of them safely

Big money misinformation and misdirection

Because the large corporations who produce the chemicals and everyday products are keen to protect their profits, it can be very difficult to find reliable information. I checked out this website https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/website/ thinking I would get an unbiased view. Turns out this website is run by the American Chemistry Council who is made up of the top chemical producers in the world. Do you really think you are going to get true, unbiased information? The first few paragraphs had reduced the number of chemicals to 7700. After researching, I found no statistics to back up their numbers. They appear to be trying to make it look like everyone else is exaggerating and biased against the chemical companies. Don’t fall for it.